33 year-old Lambesis is still in the midst of a contentious divorce with his wife of 8 years, Meghan Lambesis.

In effect, Lambesis is throwing himself on the mercy of the court, because he pleaded guilty to the one felony charged against him, without stipulating a specific sentence.

The same judge who took the plea, Honorable Carlos Armour, could send Lambesis to prison for 9 years, or could get as little as “time already served” plus 4 years probation.

Lambesis was arrested on May 7, 2013, immediately after he handed cash and photographs of his wife, along with gate codes to her home, to a fake hit man – who was actually a San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy.

Tim was in custody less than a month, and then bonded out on $2 million bail; he has been on house arrest for nine months, living in Carlsbad, California.

Meghan Lambesis’ family was in court today, her mother and father and brother were described as “relieved” after the plea deal. Prosecutor Claudia Grasso said that she expected Meghan’s family would be in court again for sentencing next May. The prosecutor was unsure if the target of the hit, wife Meghan, would be there.

Tim Lambesis spoke very few words in court today; he appeared nervous and was soft-spoken and subdued as he made one-word answers to the judge, who confirmed the guilty plea.

Judge Armour will pronounce sentence on May 2 in San Diego’s North County Superior Courthouse in Vista, California.